Panel texturing device



NOV. 21, 19 67 V M ET AL 3,353,574

PANEL TEXTURING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24, 1965 INVENTO 5 j 6D v Mm .f. vM m Q w j W AZ w W $4 7 ---wmmmw% w. w\ w; x? 1 w W I n x \NLM ATTORNEYS NOV. 21, 1967 KVALHEM ET AL 3,353,574

PANEL TEXTURING DEVI CE 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed May 24, 1965 Nov. 21, 1967 A. M. KVALHEIM ET L PANEL TEXTURING DEVI CE 3 Sheebs-Sheet 5 Filed May 24, 1965 v INVENTORS i yiflrzlazn lf' alkez'frq ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofilice 3,353,574 Patented Nov. 21, 1967 3,353,574 lANEL TEXTURING DEVICE Andrew M. Kvalheim and Irwin S. Kvalheim, both of 823-825 Petaluma Blvd. S. (P.(). Box 77), Petaluma, Calif. 94952 Filed May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,036 9 Claims. (Cl. 144-2) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention comprises an apparatus for treating the surface of a wood panel comprising a frame structure, a

work bed, banks of rollers guiding the panel through the This invention refers to a woodworking apparatus, and more particularly, to a mechanism for texturing the surface of a wood panel by reciprocal action of a cutter.

This machine has particular application to the process ing of plywood panels, which are for use as exterior siding as well as interior wall material. However, the machine may be used for processing other types of Wood panels. Generally, the machine is used on a finished plywood panel, or other type of wood panel, and is adapted to score the surface of the wood panel so as to impart a decorative effect. The idea is to impart a surface to the plywood that will have the appearance of freshly sawn lumber, fresh from the bandsaw operation of a sawmill, and prior to processing. This rough sawn appearance has a pleasing aesthetic effect to many persons when used as exterior siding, or as interior wall material in the construction of homes. 7

The invention includes a plurality of spring-loaded rollers, for passing a wood panel through the apparatus, and a centrally located texturing mechanism, which includes a pair of reciprocally driven members, adapted for movement transverse of the direction of the wood panel through the apparatus, one of said members having means thereon for coacting with the surface of said wood panel to produce the desired, decorative effect.

A fuller and more complete description of the invention may be had by reference to the following specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of the invention, partially in section to show interior details;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational sectional view, taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial, top plan view of one form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side, elevational view of a portion of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the invention as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along lines 7 -7 of FIG. 6;

Referring now to the drawings by reference character, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention is supported by a frame assembly 10, which includes longitudinal support members 12, 12, end support means 14, 14,

and two pairs of top, horizontal beams 16, 16. The wood panel to be treated is fed into the invention by banks of bottom rollers 18 and top rollers 20, which are chain driven from an external power source, as is well known in the art (not shown). A frictional coating of rubber material may be applied to the top rollers 20 for smoother operation of the mechanism. Each top roller 20 is supported by a pair of movable support blocks 22, 22, adapted for vertical movement in rail supports 24, 24. A horizontal box frame 26 is provided for each of the two linear banks of rail supports 24, at the top thereof. Vertical movement of each block 22 is controlled by a restricting rod 28, secured through box frame 26, and adjustable by a threaded nut 30. A pressure spring 32 is provided between each block 22 and the top box frame 26, around restricting rod 28, so as to impart downward pressure on each top roller 20. Top

' rollers 29 are supported for rotational movement in support blocks 22 by ball bearing assemblies 34, while each bottom roller 18 is secured for rotational movement in longitudinal supports 12 by ball bearing assemblies 36. The material to be treated may enter the machine from either direction, with respect to FIG. 2, and is fed through the device of the invention between bottom rollers 18 and top rollers 20. The center top roller, designated by numeral 38, is not paired with a bottom roller, but with the working portion of a reciprocating cutting mechanism, as will be explained below.

In the preferred form of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the reciprocating Wood surfacing mechanism is supported by a vertically adjustable table assembly 44, located transversely centrally of frame assembly 10, under the space between two of the bottom rollers 18, as indicated in FIG. 2. Table structure 44 includes a pair of shelves 46, 46, rigidly secured to longitudinal supports 12, 12, respectively, as by welding or other suitable means. Each shelf 46 includes a primary adjusting screw 48, a secondary adjusting screw 50, and bearing sleeves 52, 52, for screws 48, 50, which permit rotational movement of said screws in the shelf 46. A chain drive and sprocket assembly 54 is located on screws 48, 50, beneath shelf 46, and provides synchronous movement of said adjusting screws. In turn, the pair of chain drive assemblies 54, 54, are adapted for synchronous movement by means of a drive shaft 56 having bevel gears 58, 58 thereon, cooperating with mating bevel gears 69, 60, secured at the base of primary adjusting screws 48, 48. Drive shaft 56 is mounted for rotational movement in longitudinal supports 12, 12, in a pair of bearings 62, 62. One end of drive shaft 56 extends through longitudinal support 12 and is provided with a hub 64, which may be fitted with a wrench, or other convenient means for turning shaft 56. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, screws 48 and 50 are threaded to a support table 66 through threaded bores 68 therein. Support table 66 extends through the right longitudinal support 12, as viewed in FIG. 1, and serves to support the reciprocating woodworking portion of this invention which will now be described.

A pair of support blocks 79, 70 are mounted upon table 66, recessed to receive primary screws 48 and secondary screws 50, and are provided with rectangular bores 72, 72, at the upper ends thereof. A pair of reciprocating bars 74, 76 are mounted for sliding action through bores 72, 72. Each bar is equipped with a plurality of saw teeth 78, which are used to work the surface of a wood panel passing thereover. Bars 74, 76, are driven by a motor 80 through crankshaft assembly 82, both mounted at the extended end of support table 66. Motor 80 is secured to a base 84 which is hingedly secured to the undersurface of table 66 at 86. Drive shaft 88 of motor 80 imparts rotary motion to a pulley 90, secured thereon. Crankshaft assembly 82 includes a semi-cylindrical housing with a crankshaft 102 rotatably mounted therein in bearings 104, 104. One end of crankshaft 182 is extended at 106 and provided with a pulley 108. A drive belt 110 completes the power train from motor 80 to crankshaft 102, said drive being positively assured by the weight of motor 88, suspended from hinge 86. Reciprocating motion in imparted to bars 74 and 76 from crankshaft 162 by a pair of crank rods 112, 114.

The initial stress produced by the reciprocating bars 74, 76 is cushioned by a return spring assembly 116 secured to the support block '70, opposite crankshaft assembly 82, extending through longitudinal support 12, between the inner ends of one pair of horizontal top beams 16, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Each reciprocating bar 74, 76 is reduced, internally of assembly 116, to provide guide shafts 118 and 120, respectively, mounted through a guide plate 122. A pair of return springs 124, 124, are placed about each guide shaft 118, 120, between plate 122 and the ends of bars 74, 76.

Referring now to FIG. 2, structural rigidity of frame assembly 10 is assured by a work bed, including a pair of lateral angle iron braces 126, 126, adjacent reciprocating bars 74, 76, and welded to the inner ends of each pair of top beams 16. A pair of platens 123, 128, are mounted upon lateral braces 126, 126, so as to provide a firm guide for the wood panel to be treated as it passes beneath central roller 38.

The invention is made ready for operation by activating the power source for feed rollers 18, 20, and 38 (not shown), and by turning on motor 80 to reciprocate bars 74 and 76. As previously discussed, saw teeth 78 serve to impart a decorative effective to a wood panel by scoring the surface thereof. The vertical displacement of saw teeth 78 with respect to platens 128 may be determined by turning shaft 76 from hub 64 which in turn will raise or lower table 66 through primary and secondary adjusting screws 48 and 50, respectively. This operation serves to raise, or lower bars 74 and 76 which are mounted in support blocks 70, rigidly secured to table 66. Thus, the depth of the cut of saw teeth 78 into the wood panel to be treated may be adjusted as desired. The reciprocating motion of teeth 78 serves to produce a series of parallel scores in the surface of the wood panel passing thereover. The speed at which the wood panel is passed through the machine by rollers 18 and 28 will determine the angular displacement of the scores produced by teeth 78 with respect to an edge of the wood panel parallel with either bar 74 or 76. The type of decorative scoring desired may be varied by the size and arrangement of saw teeth 78 replacing them with any type of available cutting blade. In addition, one row of teeth 78 may be replaced by a row of brushes, so as to make the invention self-cleaning. Additional rows of teeth 78, or cutters, or additional rows of brushes may be provided by adding an additional reciprocating bar and crank rod to the invention (FIG. 3). Thus, it is within the scope of the invention to provide three, four, or any number of reciprocating bars, and brushes or cutters thereon, as desired.

Turning now to FIGS. through 7, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated. This form of the invention permits bi-directional scoring of a wood panel by providing a cutter assembly which moves longitudinally as well as laterally with respect to the wood panel passing therebeneath. In this embodiment, central roller 38 is replaced by the apparatus as shown in FIG. 6, while platens 128, 128 are replaced by a single platen 130. In addition, the reciprocating bar mechanism, crankshaft assembly and motor, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 are removed. As desired, platen 130 may be detached from braces 126, 126, to allow platen 130 to be secured to table 66, thereby permitting vertical adjustment of platen 130 by the table support structure 44 as set out above (not shown).

This second woodworking mechanism includes a pair of semi-cylindrical crankshaft support housings 132, 134, having crankshafts 136 and 138 mounted therein. Bearings 140 are provided in housings 132 and 134, to permit free rotation of crankshafts 136 and 138 therein. Crankshaft 136 has an extension 142 through platen 130 and has pulleys 144 and 146 mounted thereon. Pulley 144 is connected by any suitable means to a rotary power source, such as an electric motor (not shown). Pully 148 transmits power to crankshaft 138 by means of a drive belt 148 around pulley 150 which is mounted on extension 152 of crankshaft 138, through platen 130. Two bars 154 and 156, are driven in a circular fashion by crakshafts 136 and 138. The lower of the two bars 154 is provided with saw teeth 158 for scoring the surface of a wood panel passing between bar 154 and platen 130. Bar 156 serves as a counterbalance being displaced 180 on crankshafts 136 and 138 from bar 154.

The construction just described permits any conceivable variety of scoring effects for a wood panel. A variety of circular or eliptical patterns may be imparted to a wood surface in any desired number or frequency, depending upon the types of saw teeth provided and the speed at which the wood panel to be treated passes beneath the cutting assembly, above platen 130. The depth of the cut by saw teeth 158 may be regulated by vertical adjustments in platen 130, secured to table 66, which is adjusted as described above. Numerals 160 and 162 of FIGS. 5 and 6 indicate alternate placement of saw teeth for decorating the wood surface by scoring. In addition, a series of brushes (not shown) may be provided on bar 154 to clean the panel of wood as it is treated by the machine.

Both embodiments of the invention are adapted for applying a decorative pattern to plywood or similar board material, which is generally smooth before treatment. The resultant product simulates the appearance of freshly sawn lumber. Other surface effects may be produced by arrangement of the saw teeth. Any type of wood or sheet material in the form of a panel may be processed by the present invention.

It can be seen from the foregoing that we have invented a new and useful device in the art of wood surface treating, and thus we are not to be limited to the exact construction as herein provided except as may be within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for treating the surface of a wood panel including a frame structure, a work bed, and banks of rollers on each end of the work bed with respect to the direction of travel of the panel for supporting the wood panel passing in contact therewith, and a reciprocating cutter assembly including at least two elongated bars mounted for movement in the work bed transversely of the direction of travel of the wood panel through the apparatus, each bar having a length greater than that of said rollers, at least one powered crankshaft connected to and adapted to reciprocally drive said bars, a plurality of cutting teeth on at least one of said bars, through said work bed, for treating the surface of said wood panel, and counterbalancing means including means absorbing the thrust of the reciprocating, cutter bar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said banks of rollers include an upper and a lower bank assembly, each roller of said upper assembly adapted for vertical displacement, a pair of downwardly biased roller support blocks, secured to either end of each said roller, and a pair of vertical track means for said blocks.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 'wherein each said downwardly biased support block includes a restricting rod above said blocks, a compressible spring about said rod, a second rigid block above said spring, said rod passing through said second block, and adjusting means above said second block secured to said rod, for displacing said support block.

4. An apparatus for treating the surface of a wood panel including a frame structure, a work bed, banks of rollers on each end of the work bed with respect to the direction of travel of the panel for supporting the wood panel passing in contact therewith, vertically adjustable support means beneath said work 'bed secured to said frame structure, and a reciprocating cutting apparatus on said support means, said support means comprising two vertical blocks having aligned bores, a pair of bars located in said aligned bores, cutting means located on at least one of said bars and extending through said work bed, for treating said wood surface, means for reciprocally driving said bars in said bores transversely of the direction of travel of the panel said driving means including counterbalancing means including means absorbing the thrust of the reciprocating cutter bar.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said support means comprises a pair of shelves, one located beneath each end of said work bed and secured to said frame, adjusting means secured in said shelves, an elongated rod secured for rotative movement in said frame, operable externally thereof, and having means thereon for imparting synchronous movement to the adjusting means in each of said shelves, and a table secured to said adjusting means, above said shelves.

'6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said adjusting means comprises a pair of bearing sleeves, secured in said shelf, a pair of screw-s, one to each sleeve, threaded to said table, a pair of sprockets mounted on said screws, beneath the bearing sleeves, an endless chain link on said sprockets, for synchronous movement thereof, one of said screws having a bevel gear thereon, beneath said sprocket, said means on the rod comprising a second bevel gear mating with the first bevel gear so that both of the adjusting means are simultaneously operable upon rotation of said rod.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said reciprocal driving means includes a motor, mounted on the support means, a crankshaft, operative means connecting the motor to the crankshaft, said crankshaft including at least two throws, displaced about 180 in a vertical plane, at least a pair of crankshaft rods of equal length, one to each throw and a corresponding bar, said bars adapted for movement in the same horizontal plane, said thrust absorbing means comprising resilient means at the free ends of said bar.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said connecting means comprises a shelf, hingedly secured beneath the support means, the motor attached beneath said shelf, a pulley on said motor, a second pulley on said crankshaft, vertically coplanar with the first pulley, and an endless belt for said pulleys.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said resilient means comprises walls defining a chamber secured to the support means, a stop within said chamber, at least two guide shafts, one to each bar and mounted through said stop, and spring means about each shaft compressible upon approach of the free end of said bar to said stop.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7,181 3/1850 Chathan 144122 X 8,823 3/ 1852 Howarth 144122 331,606 12/1885 Belter 144-122 399,977 3/1889 Davis 144-122 521,025 6/1894 Handele 144-121 890,312 6/1908 Stoll 144-121 1,609,889 12/1926 Sherman 144115 DONALD R. SCHRAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE SURFACE OF A WOOD PANEL INCLUDING A FRAME STRUCTURE, A WORK BED, AND BANKS OF ROLLERS ON EACH END OF THE WORK BED WITH RESPECT TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE PANEL FOR SUPPORTING THE WOOD PANEL PASSING IN CONTACT THEREWITH, AND A RECIPROCATING CUTTER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO ELONGATED BARS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT IN THE WORK BED TRANSVERSELY OF THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE WOOD PANEL THROUGH THE APPARATUS, EACH BAR HAVING A LENGTH GREATER THAN THAT OF SAID ROLLERS, AT LEAST ONE POWERED CRANKSHAFT CONNECTED TO AND ADAPTED TO RECIPROCALLY DRIVE SAID BARS, A PLURALITY OF CUTTING TEETH ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BARS, THROUGH SAID WORK BED, FOR TREATING THE SURFACE OF SAID WOOD PANEL, AND COUNTERBALANCING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS ABSORBING THE THRUST OF THE RECIPROCATING, CUTTER BAR. 